Three counts show an incumbent Democrat won election to the State Supreme Court. But an unusual protest by the G.O.P. challenger could be headed to that same Republican-controlled court.

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals seeking to reverse a federal judge's order remanding the case to North Carolina's Supreme Court

Jurisdiction for petitions by Judge Jefferson Griffin in his dispute with the North Carolina State Board of Elections and Judge Allison Riggs, his election opponent, were remanded from federal court to the state on Monday night.

A federal judge Monday said a dispute over who won a seat on North Carolina’s State Supreme Court should be handled in state court. The order is a boost for Republican Jefferson Griffin, who trails Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs by 734 votes.